Alabama Unclaimed Property Search

Key Resources for Alabama Property Search

Because unclaimed property lists and contact details can change, always confirm results and mailing instructions directly through the official Alabama unclaimed property portal or by calling the Unclaimed Property Division before sending documents or financial information.

Finding property-related records in Alabama requires using both statewide tools and local county offices. The unclaimed property program run by the Unclaimed Property Division focuses on dormant financial assets, while county offices keep land records and property tax files. For a wider view of other record types, visit Alabama Public Records.

Before you start a search, gather basic information such as the full legal name or business name, any cities or ZIP codes where the person lived or worked in Alabama, and past mailing addresses. If you have already filed a claim, keep your Claim ID and the email account you used handy so you can check status or upload documents later.

Understanding Unclaimed Property and Real Property Records in Alabama

Alabama’s statewide unclaimed property program, administered by the Unclaimed Property Division, handles dormant financial accounts that have been turned over to the state when the original owner cannot be located. These are statewide records, separate from local land, deed, and tax files maintained in county offices.

Unclaimed property can include abandoned checking or savings accounts, unpaid wages, stocks, bonds, life insurance proceeds, utility deposits, uncashed checks, and valuables or proceeds from safe deposit boxes. It does not cover real estate or vehicles, and it does not replace county systems that track who owns or owes taxes on land.

Once these assets are reported to Alabama, the state keeps custody until the rightful owner or eligible heirs come forward and complete the claim process. County-level land records—such as deeds, mortgages, plats, and detailed assessment histories—control how ownership interests are shown on the public record. This guide cannot interpret Alabama property or inheritance laws or provide legal or tax advice; questions about ownership should be taken to a qualified professional.

Using the Official Alabama Unclaimed Property Search Portal with the Unclaimed Property Division

The Unclaimed Property Division operates Alabama’s official online portal where residents, former residents, and businesses can search statewide for dormant financial accounts that have been transferred to state custody. The search tool works from a central database, so one search covers holdings reported by many different banks, insurers, employers, and other organizations.

To use the portal, enter a person’s name or a business name and, if needed, narrow the results with a city, ZIP code, or property ID. After you review the matches, you can select properties that appear to belong to you and begin a claim. You can start a name search for potential unclaimed funds at any time, and there is no fee for searching.

The statewide search is limited to financial assets—such as bank accounts, wages, securities, insurance payments, utility refunds, uncashed checks, and valuables turned over from safe deposit boxes—that have had no activity for a period of time. It will not show you land ownership, mortgage releases, plats, or other real property details, which remain with the county land records offices.

Filing a Property Claim in Alabama: Identity, Safety, and the Unclaimed Property Division

Once you identify a property that appears to belong to you, the portal lets you add it to a claim list and proceed to an online claim form. You will provide contact details, select your relationship to each property (such as owner, heir, or business representative), and submit the claim so the Unclaimed Property Division can review it.

During review, the division may request supporting documents to prove your identity and your connection to the account or safe deposit contents. This can include items such as identification, proof of address, or documents showing your role with a business or estate. Some claims still require you to mail original documents; your claim form will explain what is needed for your specific situation and which items may be uploaded through the online system.

After you submit a claim, the system assigns a Claim ID and sends a receipt to the email address you provided. You can use that number to monitor progress through the online status tool and to upload requested documents when prompted. If you lose your Claim ID, the Unclaimed Property Division can help you by phone or email using the contact information published on its official pages.

Official Alabama unclaimed property searches and claim filings through the Unclaimed Property Division are free. Some private “heir finder” or asset-recovery companies offer to file claims for a percentage of what you receive, but they cannot access any additional records beyond the public tools available to you directly, and you can work with state staff at no charge.

Processing times and documentation requirements can vary based on the type of property and how long ago it was reported. This guide cannot predict the outcome of any individual claim, so always rely on instructions from the Unclaimed Property Division as the final word on what is required to complete your claim.

Real Property Records in Alabama: Local Custodianship and Access

While the Unclaimed Property Division centralizes dormant financial accounts, real property records for land in Alabama are maintained by county-level offices. Deeds, mortgages, releases, easements, subdivision plats, and detailed tax assessment histories are recorded locally, and they do not appear in the statewide unclaimed property search results.

Each county keeps its own index of property transfers and liens, often through a land records or recording office that may also provide online search tools. These county systems control the official chain of title for parcels, and they are the proper source when you need deed copies, complete legal descriptions, or certified recordings for closings or court filings.

Because Alabama does not provide a single statewide index for real estate ownership, your next step is to locate the county office where the property sits and follow that office’s search rules. Use the directory below to choose the county, then follow the links for local land records, recording fees, and in-person research options.

County Property Search
Jefferson County View
Mobile County View

Once you select a county from the directory, you may find separate tools for deeds, tax maps, and current assessment data. Availability, historical coverage, and copy fees vary by county, so treat each county page as the authoritative source for its own land records and contact that office directly with questions.

Transitioning to County Property Records in Alabama

Use the Alabama unclaimed property portal when you are trying to recover forgotten financial assets in your name, but switch to county tools when your goal is to research real property interests. Questions about who holds title to a parcel, what liens are recorded, or how a boundary line is described are handled only at the county level.

For tax-focused research—such as learning how a county assesses property, what exemptions may apply, or how tax liens are posted—you will work directly with the county tax and recording offices. If you need a statewide overview before diving into local details, see Alabama Property Tax for general guidance on state-level standards.

This site cannot update you on individual county policies, backlogs, or fee schedules. Treat any summaries here as starting points only and confirm procedures, accepted payment methods, and certified copy requirements directly with the specific county office that holds the records you need.

Identity Safety and Notices for Alabama Property Searches

  • Unclaimed Property Division: RSA Union Building 100 North Union Street, Suite 636 Montgomery, AL 36104 (View on Google Maps)
  • Phone: (888) 844-8400 or (334) 242-9614

When you share personal information to claim property, make sure you are on an official Alabama government page or on the trusted unclaimed property portal linked from state treasury resources. Do not follow unsolicited links in emails or messages that ask for sensitive information about unclaimed funds.

The official portal uses secure connections and keeps claim details confidential for processing by authorized staff. Before typing in identification details or uploading documents, check that your browser shows a secure connection and that contact phone numbers and mailing addresses match what you see on official Alabama treasury communications.

This guide is an independent reference and is not a government agency, law firm, or tax advisor. It cannot guarantee search results, claim outcomes, or the accuracy of third-party sites. Always verify final instructions, deadlines, and required documents directly with the Unclaimed Property Division or the relevant county office before making decisions.